The EINSTEIN Option is convening national, state and local innovators for a project to reinvent outdated institutional long-term care models by developing 100 "Connected Communities" that integrate health and housing in a continuum of home and community-based services where people of all ages and abilities can live, work, and thrive.

Solutions exist today in pockets of the sector, developed over decades by leaders with extensive experience designing and implementing proven models. Some of these leaders are involved with the Live Oak Project, The Eden Alternative, the Center for Innovation’s Green House Project and Pioneer Network, Action Pact, PHI, the Gray Panthers and other initiatives.

  • Two adults gardening, one with gray hair

    Support Innovators

    $150 million over three years for comprehensive person-directed care education for all team members, including leadership, grounded in high-quality, evidence-based “culture change” programs (e.g., those grounded in Pioneer Network principles and offered by the Eden Alternative, Live Oak Regenerative Community, Green House Project and EmpowerED Education, Action PACT Households, EduCatering & the Artifacts of Culture Change, Quality Improvement Organization/Veterans Health Administration HATCh training, PHI Coaching Supervision and other successful approaches).

    More Info About Tier 1

    photo credit: Age Without Limits

  • The front yard of two residential homes side by side, with a sidewalk out front and an American flag on one porchway.

    Catalyze Household Models

    $150 million over three years for state plans to capitalize the building of small homes and/or renovated household models with private rooms and private bathrooms, shared living, cooking and dining and easy access to common outdoor green space.

    More Info About Tier 2

    photo credit: Age Without Limits

  • Group of professionals around a table and map on a wall

    Grow Connected Communities

    $150 million over three years for key partners, including community economic development organizations, to plan "Connected Communities" that feature placed-based investments in transformative housing + health + community supports in a continuum-of-care services model braiding public and private resources.

    More Info About Tier 3

    photo credit: Nate Smallwood

  • Two women holding hands. The woman on the right is standing, in her late 30's and wearing a tie dyed tshirt. The woman on the right is sitting and wearing a colorful lei and is elderly.

    Champion Education for Direct Care Professionals

    $150 million over three years to develop innovative training and career advancement opportunities for direct care professionals that are grounded in person-directed LTSS core competencies and ultimately incorporated into state and federal training standards while being championed by organizations investing in person-directed care education.

    More Info About Tier 4

    photo credit: Clinton Manor

Collaborative Partners

The EINSTEIN Option is a collaborative coalition of long-term care advocates, providers, and family members dedicated to creating a better, more inclusive system.

Together, we are building solutions that provide meaningful options for those who live and work in long-term care, aiming to transform the quality of care and quality of life within these settings.

In 2025, the EINSTEIN Option team is spending time building momentum at the local level. We are creating building blocks for a long-term services and supports (LTSS) continuum in communities, which we refer to as “Connected Communities.” These are geographies where local leaders, advocates, housing and LTSS providers express interest in organizing to build a continuum of care that normalizes the provision of LTSS.

We will work to encourage community leaders, organizations and collaboratives — including new ones that barely existed a decade ago (e.g., the Age-Friendly Community network) - to convene and nurture forward looking conversations in creative ways.

Below are the values and principles developed by the Pioneer Network decades ago:

1. Know each person.

2. Each person can and does make a difference.

3. Relationship is the fundamental building block of a transformed culture.

4. Respond to spirit, as well as mind and body.

5. Risk-taking is a normal part of life.

6. Put person before task.

7. All are entitled to self-determination wherever they live.

8. Community is the antidote to institutionalization.

Ready to Help?

The EINSTEIN Option is a collaborative coalition of organizations and individuals, not owned or controlled by any single entity or person. As a unique initiative, funding for this project has been, and continues to be, a collective effort. Donations provided will help continue our work through research, outreach, community building - and so much more!

Please donate today!